Experts say that one of the most important things you can do for a parent or another loved one in an assisted living community is to commit to visiting on a regular basis. We are not suggesting every day or even every other day, in fact you need to give your loved one time to bond with those in their community, but rather to be consistent with your visits.
If you worry about what you will talk about or do during your visits, A Place for Mom, the largest assisted living referral service, has some tips to help you spend meaningful time together. One of their suggestions is to do a craft project together. You will find all kinds of ideas on the Internet and can use upcoming holidays for appropriately themed projects. Scrapbooking is another idea and will give your parent the chance to reminisce about the past and to share old family stories. Pick up scrapbooking supplies at your local craft store and bring along plenty of photos (be sure to get some of your newer digital photos printed out) to use in the book. Visits to your loved one can be as simply as scheduling the time to coincide with a favorite TV show both you and your parent love to watch. Not only can you enjoy the show together but then discuss the twists and turns that the program is taking afterward. The same can be said for starting a book club, and if your parent’s eyesight makes reading difficult, you can read a chapter or two and then talk about the story. If family members live far away, you could help them set up a video chat as many seniors are not comfortable with the technology to do it themselves. Other suggestions include playing cards or board games, having a picnic on the grounds of the assisted living community, and creating a playlist of favorite tunes and then listen to it together. The MorningStar of Rio Rancho team is excited as we are busy getting our beautiful new community ready to welcome our first residents. As one of the area’s premier assisted living facilities, we are set on 5.5 acres at the northwest corner of Westside Boulevard and Golf Course Road. We encourage you to visit our website or to stop by our onsite Information Center to learn more. Our community will offer 51 private assisted living suites and 26 secure suites devoted the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting. Opening shortly, we invite you to visit our Information Center to learn more about the finest senior housing in Rio Rancho, NM. Source: .aplaceformom.com/blog/assisted-living-activities-for-your-next-visit/
0 Comments
After making the move into assisted living, many residents are surprised at how full their lives become. And despite their fears about losing their independence by moving into assisted living facilities, most are pleased to discover that by getting the assistance they need, they are more ready than ever to lead productive lives.
Along with supplying built-in companionship, assisted living facilities such as MorningStar of Rio Rancho strive to enrich the lives of our residents with a range of activities that engage the mind, body, and spirit. In addition it solves the problem of many elderly adults who live alone that find meal prep to be difficult and often resort to frozen meals or fast food. When living at our gorgeous community, you can sit back and enjoy the company of your friends and neighbors while you are served beautifully prepared meals restaurant-style. Moreover if you are a senior who no longer drives, we take care of that also with scheduled transportation to area shopping malls as well as trips to the doctors and to run errands. Our holistic approach to assisted living creates an atmosphere filled with love, care and compassionate. We also recognize that it is important for our residents to continue learning and contributing, which is why we offer such a wide range of meaningful wellness programs, activities and entertainment. And if we do not have a program or activities that peaks your interest or offer a hobby you would love to explore, we invite you to start a club. Our assisted living and memory care Rio Rancho, NM community is set to open any day now. We are conveniently located within a residential setting and just blocks away from the Presbyterian Rust Medical Center, stores, restaurants, and banks. Contact us via email, give us a call, or visit our onsite Information Center. At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting. Our community will open in the spring of 2019. In the meantime, visit our Information Center to talk to our team about unparalleled senior housing in Rio Rancho NM. MorningStar of Rio Rancho is slated to become one of the premier assisted living facilities in the area. We are MorningStar Senior Living’s third assisted living and memory care community in New Mexico, which includes MorningStar of Albuquerque and our newly opened MorningStar of Santa Fe.
As a resident, you will be treated to a whole host of resort-style amenities and care services including a 5 star dining experience. All residents are treated to three daily meals prepared under the supervision of our Executive Chef and served restaurant-style in our charming dining room. We understand that food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is one of the great joys of living. We also know food always taste better and is enjoyed more when shared in community and breaking bread together helps to bonds us a family and as friends. Our meals are prepared largely from scratch using the freshest ingredients from the highest quality local producers. MorningStar’s Chef looks forward to feedback from residents and is open to suggestions. At each meal, residents will have choices to self-manage their dietary restrictions such as low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat dishes. We also believe in BrainWise foods and use ingredients known to support brain health with their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Thus as the MorningStar’s culinary team strives to create meals that delight the eye and palate, they also leverage the phenomenal benefits of superfoods such as Omega 3 fats, acai berries, dark chocolate and dark greens. Our community will offer 51 private assisted living suites as well as 26 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. While residents’ apartments are their own private nest, our community also has lots of common areas both inside and out that are designed to encourage residents to sit and relax with friends. To learn more about pricing and availability, please email or give us a call. At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting. Soon to open, we invite you to contact us to learn more about unsurpassed senior housing in Rio Rancho, NM. As one of the best senior living communities Fountain Hills AZ has to offer, MorningStar of Fountain Hills proudly takes dining to a new level with beautifully prepared meals served restaurant-style. We recognize that good nutrition is especially important to the wellbeing of seniors, which is why we put so much emphasis on ensuring our food service is A+.
Furthermore, we believe food is a healing medicine unlike any other and is one of the great joys of living, especially when enjoyed within a community setting. When we break bread together, it is much more than just physical nutrients as it helps to bond us as a family and as friends. To ensure our food service is both delicious and nutritional, we have our own highly-trained professional chef who is in charge of all meal prep. Residents enjoy seasonal menus that are prepared largely from scratch and feature the freshest of ingredients of which come from high-quality producers and/or are locally sourced. Meals are also modified to include an array of low sodium, sugar free, no sugar added, vegetarian and low fat choices so that residents can self-manage any dietary restrictions. Recognizing that nutrient-rich foods can help stimulate the appetite as well as support brain health, MorningStar meals are also prepared using ingredients with high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. These “super foods” include leafy, dark greens; dark chocolate; acai; berries, and Omega 3 fats. Most importantly mealtime at Fountain Hills is a time for residents to relax and enjoy the company of fellow residents or family and friends. Located in a scenic desert community east of Scottsdale, MorningStar of Fountain Hills residents enjoy a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community within a loving, family atmosphere. Please visit our website to learn more about the area’s best assisted living and memory care community, and while you are there, set up a tour to see for yourself why residents are proud to call us home. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand one of the finest senior living communities Fountain Hills AZ offers. Once you visit our website and have the chance to look at our Gallery photos, you will see why MorningStar Assisted Living & Memory Care of Fountain Hills is one of the best senior living communities Fountain Hills AZ has to offer. In fact, our community was designed from the ground up to accommodate our residents’ every need and is beautifully decorated throughout to provide an atmosphere of comfort, relaxation and serenity.
As our pictures show, from the moment you walk through the door you will feel like you have walked into a gracious home. From beautifully-appointed common areas that provide a comfortable, relaxing place to sit and enjoy a visit with friends, an atrium with a water feature, bistro, a full salon offering hairstyling, manicures and pedicures and much more. Other Gallery photos features onsite amenities such as our chapel/theatre, outdoor areas, and fitness center. However, while we offer many amenities and beautiful surroundings, we are most proud of our staff. The MorningStar team consists of a group of people who have perfected the art of anticipating the needs of our residents and going the extra mile to serve them. Filled with compassion and care, each of our staff members has a smile for the residents and is as quick to listen to a story as they are to lend a helping hand when needed. MorningStar of Fountain Hills offers 63 private assisted living suites on two levels with a choice of spacious studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom floor plans as large as 870 sq. ft. Our Reflections Neighborhood has 28 secure suites devoted to the personalized care of those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. We encourage you to visit our website and use our online form to schedule a tour of our very special community. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand one of the finest senior living communities Fountain Hills AZ offers. Is frequent bruising indicative of a bigger problem? Most likely not says the Mayo Clinic because as we age people bruise more easily. The reason for this is older skin is thinner and has lost some of its fatty layers that used to work as a cushion to protect blood vessels from injury. Also women are more prone to bruising than men.
The medical term for a bruise is contusion, and is typically caused when small blood vessels near the skin’s surface are ruptured by an impact from an injury or a blow to the area. This causes blood to start leaking out of the vessels and create the visible black-and-blue mark (ecchymosis) of a bruise. As the body reabsorbs the blood, the bruise begins to heal. The Mayo Clinic says that certain medications can cause bruising such as aspirin and anticoagulants such as Coumadin® that thin the blood and reduces its ability to clot. This means that “bleeding from capillary damage might take longer than usual to stop — which allows enough blood to leak out and cause a bruise.” Dietary supplements like fish oil and ginkgo have a blood thinning effect that can also increase the risk for bruising. However bruising can sometimes be a sign of serious medical conditions such as low levels or abnormally functioning platelets. They can also indicate problems with the proteins that help to clot blood. The Mayo Clinic recommends consulting your doctor if large bruises appear on your body, if they are painful, or you start bruising after beginning a new medication. Additionally check with your doctor if a bruise increases in size and becomes swollen and hard as it may be a hematoma, a localized collection of blood which becomes clotted or partially clotted. To prevent bruising, Dr. Aarthi Anand, a board certified geriatrician and family medicine practitioner, suggests removing furniture and other obstacles to create a clear path throughout the home to avoid bumps and falls. If you or your loved one is unsteady on their feet, install handrails when possible and consider using a walker or cane. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand one of the finest senior living communities Fountain Hills AZ has to offer. Sources: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/in-depth/easy-bruising/art-20045762 www.aplaceformom.com/planning-and-advice/articles/elderly-bruising If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you and your family will need to take steps to plan for your/their future. Experts advise families that along with discussing dementia care options, they financially and legally plan for the future.
The National Institute on Aging advises the person to examine and update their financial and healthcare arrangements as soon as possible. By having legal and financial documents in place, such as a will, a living trust, and advance directives, it ensures the person’s late-stage or end-of-life healthcare and financial decisions are carried out. The NIA suggests having a lawyer draw up and maintain the documents as they understand State law and can help update changes to a person’s circumstances such as divorce or a death in the family, and other applicable changes. These documents should include Advance Directives for Health Care: A living will expresses the person’s wishes in regard to medical treatment near the end of life when they can no longer make known their decisions regarding healthcare. In addition some people have a Do Not Resuscitate Order signed by a doctor, placed in their medical file that instructs healthcare professionals to not perform CPR in the event they stop breathing or their heart stops. A durable power of attorney for health care is a document that specifically designates a person (sometimes known as an agent or proxy) to make healthcare decisions for the individual when they no longer have the capacity to do so. This document applies to all healthcare decision and for all types of medical conditions. Advance Directives for Financial and Estate Management must be done while a person still has the legal capacity to make decisions and includes a durable power of attorney for finances. This designates a person of your choosing to manage and make financial decisions for you if you become incapacitated. MorningStar at Englefield Green provides loving, compassionate dementia care to those in the onset of the disease right through to the most advanced stages. Please visit our website for pricing and availability. MorningStar at Englefield Green embodies the very best in senior living with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest” that sets us apart from other senior living communities. With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in a staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a beautiful home-like setting. Please set up a tour to experience for yourself one of the area’s finest Alzheimer’s care homes. Source: .nia.nih.gov/health/legal-and-financial-planning-people-alzheimers At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we understand there are all sorts of emotions that occur when a family begins to look into assisted living for a parent or a loved one. Often it is a complete learning experience as many people do not know what assisted living offers and how it differs from a nursing home.
Assisted living is a fairly new concept and is designed for seniors who want to maintain their independence but need a little help with daily living activities. Based on the European social model, it creates a new paradigm in wellness and engagement, and we believe that the structure and society offered in assisted living communities introduces a return of healthy routines and healthier lives. It is estimated that approximately one million Americans lived in senior care communities as of 2016 and that number is expected to almost double by 2030 as people are living longer. Most assisted living residents moved into a community from their own home, family residence or an apartment while others move in after a hospital or rehabilitation stay. Our recommendation for opening a conversation about making some changes in the way your parent is living should be done when everyone is gathered and relaxed. Also remember nothing has to be decided on all at once, and while it should ultimately be a family decision, the person involved needs to be given a voice. We also understand that searching for the most suitable community is difficult as there are many factors to consider. We suggest that once you narrow down several choices, you set up tours to experience the communities firsthand. The child of the person or healthier spouse should do the tours, and not more than two a day, as there is a lot of information to take in. Assisted living communities like MorningStar of Fountain Hills are designed to allow seniors’ their independence and give them the opportunity to stay socially active. We have put together a “Conversation Guide” that goes into even greater depth regarding helping families to make the transition. When you contact us, please ask for a copy. At MorningStar of Fountain Hills, we exemplify the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” Our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve…all of which contributes to creating a true home for residents amid a beautiful, serene setting. Please call to schedule a visit to see firsthand the finest assisted living in the Fountain Hills area. Source: ascseniorcare.com/assisted-living-statistics-a-deeper-dive-into-the-demographics/ If you are searching for assisted living for yourself or a parent, you probably have some questions regarding what type of care is offered. At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we understand the concerns families have and provide answers to FAQs on our website as a good way to get you started. For example, one question we get asked often is our age requirement and the answer is you must be at least 62 years old. We also get asked if couples can live together. Of course! Couples can live together in their own suites, surrounded by their own treasured possessions, or suites can be shared by friends of the same sex who simply enjoy one another’s company.
Another question we are frequently asked is, “do we offer short-term stays.” Yes, it is based on availability and we do ask that you commit to at least a week’s stay or a full month. This gives you the chance to sample a life free from cooking and household chores, and to participate in a bustling calendar of activities and enjoy the instant companionship. If you are concerned that your parent may not get the care they need, there is no reason to worry. Before your parent joins our community, our Wellness Director (a licensed nurse) will sit down with your family to discuss your parent’s medical history and personal preferences. From here, we create an individualized care plan that meets everyone’s approval. This plan will be routinely evaluated and updated as the need arises. You will also find our pet policy on our FAQs page. We are a pet friendly community and recognize the tremendous benefits animals offer to all of us. We do assess an animal’s appropriateness for our community on a case-by-case basis, and we have some restrictions on breeds. There is also a one-time, nonrefundable pet fee. We encourage you to visit our website to read the answers to other questions you may have regarding our assisted living. However if you do not see the information you need, please give us a call as we are ready to help. We look forward to meeting you and your family. At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best senior living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting. Opening to residents in the spring of 2019, we invite you to visit our Information Center to learn more about exceptional senior housing in Rio Rancho, NM. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults. They state that, “Approximately one in three people between the ages of 65 and 74 has hearing loss and nearly half of those older than 75 have difficulty hearing.”
Hearing loss may result in difficulty following a conversation as well as the danger of not properly hearing a doctor’s advice. Many older adults cannot hear the doorbell or may have trouble responding to alarms and other warning devices such as a smoke detector. The NIDCD lists several signs that may indicate you are suffering from hearing loss. These include things like having problems hearing the TV or radio at levels that are loud enough for others or a reluctance to attend family gatherings and church services. Common causes of hearing loss are a condition called presbycusis, which is gradual hearing loss that seems to run in families or exposure to loud noise over an extended period of time. Other things that can increase your risk for hearing loss include earwax build-up, diabetes, listening to music with earbuds, and being overweight. Your hearing loss may also be due to your medication. The AARP reports that according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “more than 200 drugs, ranging from over-the-counter medications to chemotherapy, can damage hearing.” Even common pain medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen have been linked to a higher risk of hearing loss when taken for six or more years as reported by a Brigham and Women’s Hospital 2016 study. If you feel you may be experiencing hearing problems, you will need to see a doctor to be tested. Furthermore since there are many reasons for hearing loss, treatment options will vary depending on the cause. At MorningStar of Rio Rancho, we are proud to offer the best assisted living with our distinct mission statement - “to honor, to value, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents in a beautiful setting. Our community will open in the spring of 2019. In the meantime, visit our Information Center to talk to our team about unparalleled senior housing in Rio Rancho NM. Source: nidcd.nih.gov/health/hearing-loss-older-adults aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info |
Our goal is to allow seniors to enjoy their retirement years by offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, filled with resort-style amenities and activities. Archives
August 2021
Categories:
All
|